Review: My Hero Academia Vol 13

Midoriya inherits the superpower of the world’s greatest hero, but greatness won’t come easy. What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks”? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?

The students of My Hero Academia’s Class 1-A have reached another milestone—the Provisional Licensing Exam. After making it through the first part of the test, they ready themselves for the next phase, which takes place in a simulated disaster area. Midoriya and his friends have to rescue as many victims as they can, and although the students of rival Shiketsu High are technically supposed to be helping, competition between them is fierce and even dangerous! As the scenario unfolds and villains arrive to shake things up, the U.A. students will have to find new ways to work with each other and make use of their Quirks.

My Hero Academia’s Class 1-A finds themselves a bit less experienced in this area of the test. Phase two has them rescuing mock victims, who will also be doubling as the judges to determine their scores. Each student starts out with a certain number of points and as things continue they deduct points based on various factors. Class 1-A had run into plenty of Villains and also helped rescue fellow students during the training camp but this was different.

Deku finds himself thinking a bit too much and causes himself to lose some points during the second phase. However, he quickly picks up the pace and begins to find his stride. When things were looking like it was in the bag, another curve ball was thrown at the students. Villains showed up and they now had to fight on two fronts: 1 defeat the villains and 2 defend the victims and be careful of the crumbling buildings around them as not to injure anyone.

Working with others was difficult for some of the more proud students, like Shoto and Bakugo. While others like Deku and Uraka, worked closely with others to help rescue victims and fight off villains. What ends up happening as the test concludes throws many for a serious loop. Two of the top students in class 1-A failed the second part of the test and thus failed to get their provisional licenses. Shoto and Bakugo both failed for their inability to work with others and/or rescue victims. Shoto was fairly humble about it, taking stock of his short comings. Bakugo on the other hand was not. And the fact that Deku got his, made things even worse.

So what happen next was inevitable and lead finally to the reveal that we all wanted and needed between these two. Bakugo calls Deku out to the battle grounds and confronts him about his powers, and his relationship to All Might. Bakugo isn’t stupid, though he is impulsive. He knew for awhile but wanted confirmation from Deku himself. The two break out in a fight that tests both of their wills to be #1 and their friendship (if you can call it that.)

Every time I think My Hero Academia can’t top themselves, the series continues to make things even more intense and fun. The way the secondary characters get fleshed out also is hugely impressive considering the size of the character list. Also the final reveal between Deku and Bakugo is one I have wanted to see for a long time. As abusive as Bakugo is when it comes to Deku it is clear that it stems from a desire to surpass him and an inferiority complex of not wanting to need help from anyone.

Bakugo is a broken person. Kirishima’s friendship with Bakugo is a great thing for him long term. However, Bakugo has the most history, and issues, with Deku and they are the two that have the most to benefit from hashing it out with each other. Deku to prove his is no longer the weakling punching bag he has always been. And Bakugo who needs to prove that he is the strongest and doesn’t need anyone to prop him up.

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